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Ritchie Blackmore makes another top 10 list
This one’s from Review Fix, and focuses on Classic Rock guitar players. Everyone has an opinion, to be sure, but this list offers justifications along with the names, which is a nice change from the usual here’s a set of names approach.
Read the details at http://reviewfix.com/2009/07/our-ten-best-episode-11-classic-rock-guitarists/
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Good topic! To the point!
September 9th, 2009 at 18:59But what caught my eye as pure fact is:
September 9th, 2009 at 19:03“Blackmore reinvents himself every time he straps on his guitar”.
So true!
So, a Top 10 list from another Website, with reference to Deep Purple’s ex-guitarist is worthy enough for posting, but an actual Worldwide TV Special “Top 100 Hard Rock Bands” airing on VH-1 which offered Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and Rainbow in their list along with exclusive live footage and interviews wasn’t? I’m still scratching my head..I seem to remember the response from those in charge…”We don’t need to post another List”…..Hmmmm.
Cheers
September 9th, 2009 at 19:37I’m all smiles,smiles,smiles,can you imagine why?
September 9th, 2009 at 19:41@4
Why of course! lol!
September 9th, 2009 at 23:25If Blackmore’s Night (classic rock??) is not included, I agree with everything that is written!!
September 10th, 2009 at 02:48nice to see ritchie at the top! deservedly so. why is page mentioned as a ‘former session player’ when ritchie’s pedigree is so much longer?!.. gene vincent, tom jones, jerry lee lewis(live shows), heinz, glenda collins, neil christian,screaming lord sutch, adam faith, etc. etc. etc!
September 10th, 2009 at 03:21DONTFORGET ~ HIWAY* GUY THAT MAKESTHIS SITE SAYS = DJANGO RIENHART IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~ SO THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INMYGUYS NOBODY&NONE OF OUR RADIOSTATIONS EVERHAD PLAYED OR HEARD MASTERS LIKE= DJANGO & MUDDYWATERS & ROBERT JOHNSON &AFTER HIGHSCHOOL MYFRIEND ~ “FO” UPSTAIRS COCOAVILLAGE FLORIDA=FOUND ROBERT JOHNSON VYNYL 1974 & WE GO WHAT WOW HE WROTE CREAMS CROSSROADS!!!!!!!!!!!!! HO!!!!!!!! FINALLY LAST YEAR IM IN MERRIT ISLAND CD STORE SAME PLACE I BOUGHT INCREDIBLE FANTASTIC BEYOND MR~UNIVERSE BLACKMORE TIX THANX INFINITLYSUPERZILLIONS SURFINGTHEPERFECT WAVE TO YALL FER TELLIN ME TOURS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! AZILLION ROYAL BOWS TO YOUR MAJESTYS!!!!!!!!!!! IN SAME MERRITSQUARE MALL STORE LAST YEAR FINALLY~ IFOUND DJANGO CDS IN JAZZ SECTION & FINALLY HEARD HIM ON LAZER HEADPHONE THING THERE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!! ALSO SAW ALICECOOPERSUPER& TONY IOMMI HEAVENOCT2008ORLANDO YKNOW THE STORY~ DJANGO SAVED GOTIM ROCKINSUPER!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS 1ST ROW~DIO IS A CASTLE GUY TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANYWAY~THAT NITE I REALIZED WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! TONY&JIMI ARE SO SIMILAR LIKE IN A WAY TONY IS LIKE MAYBE THE EXPERINCE DEFINITLY LIKE OF GUITAR SOUND IFYA WISH HENDRIX COZ = WOW JIMI&TONY TUNE STRINGS LOW IN EFLAT&THEY LEFTHANDED WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! BESIDES THAT~GET YOUR STRAT TUNE LOW &PLAY*6 *MARSHAS &~WAH~WAH~ {IREALLYDIG MODERN~ ARION~STEREO~ FLANGERS YACANGET CHEAP ON EBAY ITSA SUPER UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!}WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! GUITARPICKS4YA=^^^^^^^^^^^ ***************************
September 10th, 2009 at 06:02Very nice to see Blackmore that high on such a list….
http://reviewfix.com/2009/09/our-ten-best-episode-19-classic-rock-vocalists/
September 10th, 2009 at 06:35Interesting list, these guitarists have certainly had the most explosive impact on rock music world wide I think. It all boils down to favourites I guess and who had the most comprehensive impact/influence on you as an individual.
Good to see Ritchie at no. 2 ahead of Pagey…As much as I love Zeppelin, Jimmy Page was definitely not the soloist Ritchie was/is!
September 10th, 2009 at 08:16Ritchie deserved that kind of recognition, its about time.
September 10th, 2009 at 17:34He is a god of a guitarist and even now!
long live Ritchie BN and DP.
the fact that TMIB is No2 in this pole does’nt bother me at all but page does not deserve 3rd place he should be nearer the 10th position
September 10th, 2009 at 21:56And the Lists go on…..
Nice addition #9, CE-Music.
Cheers
September 11th, 2009 at 01:34@ 4
Disappointed without Steve Morse on the list?
September 11th, 2009 at 17:26I’m sorry, but I’m referring to number 3 poster. Me bad…
September 11th, 2009 at 17:27@3 I’m with you on that one, Tracy!
Generally, these lists are a waste of good paper/cyberspace, of course Blackmore should be there(maybe Morse should be too), but I’m
September 11th, 2009 at 20:10amazed why people constantly critisize Jimmy Page’s ‘rating’: fuckin’ hell, it’s not about solos only, ever heard of launching a band that’s influenced a thousands of others, defining heavy rock music with DP & some others, writing some classic songs etc. etc….well, I’m off topic again so wish you all well & get me coat 🙂
Yep, the season is changing again…..
I HATE COLD!!!!!
I m with you on the LZ thing there, Sami…..
Although lots can be said about them and their qualities in later years, they are truly a BIG band.
Achilles Last Stand is my favourite
September 11th, 2009 at 20:47That solo has been giving me goosebumps since around 1978!!!!
Why in God’s name would anyone think Steve Morse should be on this list? It is a list of all time classic rock guitarists. Steve is an incredible guitar player but he has never written a classic rock song. How many albums that have sold is he on?
September 11th, 2009 at 21:23Ritchie Blackmore has been the main writer on many classic rock songs. He has sold well over 100 million albums worldwide.
Jimmy Page has also done the same with over 200 million albums sold. They should be along with Hendrix at the top of any list involving great classic rock, as a guitarist or a songwriter.
Talent doesn’t always =record sales but you have to have sold some to be on this list.
Generally I´m sick and tired of all these “toplists”, and all the arguments of who should and who shouldn´t be on it !
My only complain about this one is the fact that once again Jimi “bloody” Hendrix is on the top spot ! Don´t get me wrong, yes he was great but….my god he also could be a complete “fuck up” occassionally, and just making annoying and confusing rackit ! I´ve seen countless clips of the man just going overboard in total mayhem……stoned ? Most likely ! Just like the punters in those clips and they were probably on “Uranus” and didn´t know the difference anyway…..! Oh, well……ROCK ON !
September 11th, 2009 at 22:58@9
Nice website.
September 12th, 2009 at 01:13Blackmore is a bit of an enigma. Generally, people are aware of his work but not his name. One thing I have noted over the years is how Blackmore’s name is rarely mentioned on its own among professional musicians until someone brings it up. Then, it’s “Oh, yeah…Blackmore…he’s the best…”
September 12th, 2009 at 05:24@16
Absolutely Jimmy Page should be there…We have to put this in to context of time frame. The important thing with great musos as far as I’m concerned is the impact and influence they resonanted on their instrument and in relation to the music they produced. Steve Morse is technically superior to everybody on the top ten list but is not a hugely influential innovator…He is of course a fantastic guitar player!
Jimmy Page absolutely belongs on this list…But rightly behind Ritchie as far as I’m concerened:)
September 12th, 2009 at 11:24http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR2YJ3ReesQ&feature=channel
September 12th, 2009 at 12:31very rare…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ-s5RomFc4&feature=related
September 12th, 2009 at 12:39even this…
@24 and 25
Not “rare” anymore, haven’t been for a while now thanks to the internet and those who shared it.
The little clip of Ian Gillan talking in 1976 happened to be extremely rare till it recently surfaced. Can anybody guess the source of that clip?
September 13th, 2009 at 00:05Does anyone know which piece of Bach’s music Blackmore drew on for the Highway Star solo (for me, the best guitar solo of all, ever)?
September 13th, 2009 at 09:20Oh, and I’d put Iommi on the list too – we can argue for ever about who invented heavy metal, but you’d have to put him high on that list, if not at the top. Plenty of classic songs too …
September 13th, 2009 at 09:24Roberto
Are YOU the poster of that landinleonardo?
LandOFLeonardo seems more appropriate to me IMO…..
We have discussed the HUSH channel thing and so on…..
Even Lordy mingled and spoke out…..
1 Show me the way to go home…..Wasnt that the WDWTWA session instead of the Fireball one? I might be mixing up my data, I know….
2 Rotterdam 1971? I m confused here too. I ve a vague memory of DP and a Lord SOLO with the GEMINI thing that is in Rotterdam which did or did NOT went ahead as announced….
Does somebody here know?
3 95 percent of the VARIATION ON WOODSTOCK item but in Germany does not even show Deep Purple, which is a shame, cause the band seem to be in good form.
Not surprising ofcourse…..
4 BONUS????I still do not own the Hits and Highlights DVD myself but I saw it with friends. I dont recall this being on it…..
September 13th, 2009 at 11:50btw
5
Again, amazing to see Ian Gillan in that French short interview
In this he is telling again with conviction in 1976, 3 years after the MOMENTUOUS PEAK of Live In Japan,SIC!!!!, that he thought DP became a stagnating formula and so on…..
A singer with a GOD sent voice, an overwhelming amount of charisma, but did and does he have INSIGHT in what is really good?
September 13th, 2009 at 12:10@29
No doubt you could point him in the right direction………
September 14th, 2009 at 08:45where the hell is steve howe who could play any guitar even the steel pedal guitar(check out the end of “gates of delerium”of the relayer album and where is gary moore who could wipe the floor with most guitarists who i went to see in 83-84 when paicey was the drummer for him and even paicey was applauding at some of the things gary was playing
September 14th, 2009 at 11:58#19 and #21–took the words right out of my keyboards. i have JH and RB on vinyl–hands down RB wins.
September 14th, 2009 at 13:00I guess an alternative reality would have RB list as no. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,& 10! And thats superior muscianship for you!
Does he make the top ten mandolin players list? Anyone?
September 14th, 2009 at 13:10@ 30
Well, I do suggest all the time that he is NOT the only one with a strange taste and or view regarding decisions, choices and so on……
For example, Ronnie James Dio
A few days ago I bought myself a ticket and felt very glad to witness the line up with my favourite DIO guitar player Craig Goldy.
What happens?!
He has rehired that fucking fiddler Aldritch again!!!!!
I cant stand that style. Craig does the sound and songs justice, plays like it should be.
Ok, he is no Blackmore, but still…..
Its the same feeling when I go to DP with Morse.
The band can be very good but the vent is poiled because that annoying guitarapproach.
Blackmore as well in a way…..
He had EVERYTHING with the line up with Dio and Powell.
What does he do?
He still gave us, there is difference here!!!!, great albums and singers but …..
No contest with DIO and Powell.
IMHO, ofcourse.
Btw, maybe YOU should advice Ian Gillan?
Kick him in the butt and push him towards PUNKROCK.
The last time he was inspired by that drivel around 78 and it gave us in the end the style of the JAPANESE GILLAN ALBUM, FUTURESHOCK and so on.
Toolbox was good too.
He was kinda angry then, I think it was at his management or something.
The agression paid off. The album kicks ass.
I NEVER play One Eye To Morocco.
Its a lazy and selfcontrived weak effort to make an album, espescially after all those years.
And dont start with……You only like to rock.
I said many times that my taste in music is very broad.
I LOVE Cherkazoo for example.
The passion is just not there anymore.
I think he need someone to make him angry to deliver.
Right now he is not angry , just frustrated.
I dont buy that shit that he is like Ritchie trying to provoke the interviewer or fans.
He means what he says.
He is still really frustrated about the divorce.
After all is said and done he is left with a worse uninspired marriage, MORSE CANt WRITE CLASSICS this band needs,whatever he s trying to tell everyone.
I m afraid he s believing all that nonsense he repeated over the years……
Maybe age is getting to him too, I dunno…..
Surprise me Ian, MY HERO, and deliver once more…..
And please get rid of that Zombie.
September 14th, 2009 at 23:43#26:
Andy, this is a bit of a tough question.
At one point, Blackmore said, “I fancied putting a bit of Mozart over that chord progression which itself is taken from Mozart.” In another interview, he noted that “The solo on ‘Highway Star’ was worked out; it’s just arpeggios based on Bach.” The arpeggios are D-G-C-A.
We have minor pentatonics, complex harmonies, diatonics, weird rhythms, chromatics, alternate speed picking…
I don’t think Ritchie had any particular piece in mind when he worked out that solo sequence, instead using progressions from classical music in the same way blues musicians have written thousands of songs based on common blues progressions–such as a standard twelve-bar blues.
Certain chord sequences “suggest” a resolution that one expects. Much the same can be said of classical music. Just think of the common final cadence particularly prevalent in baroque music. If I threw one such cadence in a composition, it doesn’t necessarily mean I was copying anything from another composition.
“Highway Star” employs classical *technique,* but as far as I can tell, it wasn’t meant to mimick any particular composition. I also hear a lot more Bach in that solo than Mozart. Maybe it was a slip of the tongue on his part.
September 15th, 2009 at 02:07Hi T
Like your contributions very much.
Cheers, Mark
September 15th, 2009 at 14:5431-I agree that Steve Howe should have been on the list. Just search youtube for some of his stuff. He’s incredible and he’s written alot of classics. Gary Moore is another incredibly talented guitar player. I have always loved his playing and love his songwriting, although I wouldn’t call him a great classic rock player. The Thin Lizzy albums he played on weren’t excactly hard rock classics, they were good but not classics. But he is one of my all time favorite guitar players who I have scene live about 10 times. He always delivers on stage.
September 16th, 2009 at 01:03Toni Iomi just isn’t a good enough guitar player to be on the list. He’s good, but not in the same league as the great players. He’s written plenty of classic stuff but his lead playing just isn’t good enough to be up there with the other players.
do not really want to get in an argument with you guys but there is only one guy that is NOT on that list that is probably the best guitarist on the planet and his first name is JOE and for about three months he was the guitar player in a band called deep purple
September 16th, 2009 at 03:33Spot on… but in 100 years Blackmore will reign on top. No one in the 20th century did for (and to) the guitar what Hendrix did. But in time Blackmore’s riff to Smoke will outlive all others, and remain the seminal piece to be played by all budding and aspiring guitar players for generations yet. No matter what we think of the guy, when he straps on a guitar… wow!
September 16th, 2009 at 12:37The list is pretty decent! I”d change a few, drop a few, add a few! Ona good note Whitesnakes Good to be Bad has been certified Gold as of 2 weeks ago, from my friend who own the Record shop told me as well as our Classic Radio Station WQUT 101.5 JC Tennessee said, It’s sold roughly 505.000 copies, not to bad since the US tour was only about 17 shows, And to counteract that Guns and Roses, or shall I say Axl Roses backing bands new CD Chinese Democracy has only gone Gold roughly the same numbers, actually with the way things are now with all your I-Tunes and Napsters around, thats not to bad a Number, so Congrats to DC, as they say, these times, they are a changin!! Cheers Bill
September 16th, 2009 at 16:35Priest, come on man, I can’t believe you called Morse a zombie!! Lord have mercy man, the man has deliverded the goods, time and time again. in Purple, Ritchies playing at the end was uninspiring to say the least! his guitar sound was getting so thin in Purple, no thickness, no harmonics, just listen to his guitar sound in the solo to Fires at Midnight, and compare it to any solo off The Battle Rages On, theres a ton of difference, Ritchie is a fine guitarist, maybe the best of all time! but Steve Morse is a damn fine guitarist in his own right! Sometimes I feel like Screaming indeed! Cheers Bill
September 16th, 2009 at 17:34Wheres Matthias Jabs, and Uli Jon Roth???
September 16th, 2009 at 17:37One must first take note to the criteria of this list before criticizing the order or those on or not on it…..
“The requirements needed to make this countdown are playing ability, impact on the classic rock world, memorable riffs and songwriting.”
Now, facilitating a response based on the actual criteria, I’d say they aren’t too far off. But, a major problem with it actually is…..at what date do we make the Cut-off as to what is Classic Rock?
From the era that is being picked from, one would have to wonder where Pete Townshend of ‘The Who’ and Joe Walsh of the ‘James Gang’ and later the ‘Eagles’ are…Again, remember the criteria.
Remember, the criteria isn’t ‘Virtuoso’. It’s all around performer, skill, songwriting, riffs and impact.
It’s 2009. Those on the list have had over 40 years of exposure.
Hell, 1989 was 20 years ago, and there are plenty of bands from the ’80’s whom have outstanding guitarists, that fall under this category. Though most of the one’s in this Top 10 date from Way Back to the ’60s Classic Guitarists, the few that I have added in here below have been around for over 20 years and are responsible for many ‘Classic Songs and Riffs’ that are though not as old, but as influential these days.
Jerry Cantrell from Alice and Chains
Slash from Guns and Roses
Kirk Hammett of Metallica
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai of David Lee Roth Band and Whitesnake
Mick Mars of Motley Crue
Plus, the ‘Classic Rock’ Stations play songs from these bands as well.
Cheers
September 16th, 2009 at 18:24UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE TO INSIST: WHEN WILL THE BLACKMORE’S NIGHT…MARE THING WILL END…? AS A NIGHTMARE ITSELF, WHICH IS WHAT IT REALLY IS, WHEN WILL WE ALL WAKE UP…???? WHEN WILL ‘HE’ WAKE UP..??? UP! MR. BLACKMORE, STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, NOT FOR WHAT ‘THEY’ (I. E., MRS. BLACKMORE) BELIEVES IN ($$$$$$$$)……. OAHHHHH…..! ALARM-CLOCK SOMEWHERE…?????
September 16th, 2009 at 18:59@ 41
Come on?!
I reckon you are one of those people who like to insist that Ritchie sucked during the TBRO tour?
Get an earcheck and or watch and listen to the recordings of those last shows which were very reminiscent of the peaks in the 70 s.
BTW, I m just one of the many who thinks about Steve this way and not just repeating what some USA magazine likes to think, ermmmmmmmmm think?
September 16th, 2009 at 23:11Indeed, Tracy I have to concur, the criteria you mentioned seems to be how they picked their list, everyone has a different palate to what makes their boat float so, thats what makes life interesting, isn’t it? Mikey Schenker made it though, I actually dislike the term Classic Rock, Just look at MTV, no bands get attention after they turn 40, so their you go! Not even Metallica get their videos on there anymore, It’s all reality shows nowadays anyway, I guess we have Ozzy to thank for that one!
September 17th, 2009 at 16:58OAAAHHHHH, AIN’T NEVER SEEN NOTHING LIKE THIS. OH GOD! WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS…??? JUST A SINGLE LISTENING TO A BLACKMORE’S ‘NIGHTMARE’ CD MAKES ME GO DIZZY…. SLEEPY…. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ……..
September 17th, 2009 at 19:03As for the anatgonistic stupidistic issue if whether Hendrix vs. Page vs. Beck vs. Blackmore vs. Townsend… Only aa ‘apish’ brain could breed such a stupid issue. Let everyone play as they may. I see no point in that issue. Always has appealed to me as an idiot’s argument. Music is just music. take it as it is. For every great solo Mr. Blackmore has perfomed I could name but a few crapy songs. The same applies to Pagey, Hendrix et al.
September 18th, 2009 at 18:12Hi Rob, I can certainly understand your aversion to Blackmore’s Night as it is not kick-ass rock and roll from arguably the best guitarist that strapped on a six-string machine.
Perhaps you should buy a nice bottle of Cabernet and listen to the music ? Just a suggestion 🙂
If you’re looking for blistering hard rock with BN, forget it. But at least try the Cabernet 🙂
September 19th, 2009 at 19:18Oh and Rob, Ritchie kicks A** on acoustic guitar !
September 19th, 2009 at 23:33T @ #35,
Thanks pal, interested in your thoughts. Jon Lord used to’quote’ pretty directly from Bach in his on stage solos – Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, most notably.
But I know Bach’s music well … and I couldn’t identify a particular piece in the RB Highway Star solo, so your post explains a lot.
September 20th, 2009 at 19:08I LOVE JS Bach!!!!
Subconsciously triggered by DP and co I explored large avenues of Classical Music and bought myself poor and purple on Classical music.
Amongst my favourites of BACH is the Chamber Orchestra stuff, simply phenomenal, delicious, from lighthearted and fresh to kinda hevay sentimental parts…..
I often play Ritchie material to kick me in thye butt when I m lazy and or trying to do housework.
When I feel the air needs to be cleansed I often play the BACH material. Together with some smell of incense that works wonders.
When I started with BACH I was addicted to the harpsichord.
On an other forum DP albums were discussed, again hehehe, and one suggested the BAROQUE intro to BLIND on the 3rd DP album was a first one to try in popmusic.
I think thats not true.
THE BEATLES were there first and more progressive rock bands used the harpsichord.
Ok, back to my KAMELOT sampler.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:05Hi Gary, tried what you said. Under a Violet Moon CD playing, did let it sound, poured myself some cabernet sauvignon, stood still, tried to stay awake, next thing I know It was wake up time…. At least no hang over…
September 23rd, 2009 at 18:25An excellent and amusing answer, Rob ! I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one.
Cheers 🙂
September 24th, 2009 at 00:43To: Mr. Andy G., #26
The answer to your question (which Bach piece is the highway star solo based on?) is:
RONDEAU – The second movement from the Orchestral Suite # 2 in B minor. It’s the same Orchestral Suite that has the famous Badinere as the last movement. Ritchie likes to borrow and paraphrase motifs and melodies from the classics, so when you listen to it, it might not seem very direct at first. It’s in a different key and different inversion, but follows the same idea of descending melodic arpeggios.
It’s the second part of the Highway Star Solo. The first part is the blues part which goes from D pentatonic to A pentatonic, then it goes into the Bach Rondeau adapted section over Dm Gm C A, followed by the fast picking part on the first string.
You’ll notice in Blackmore’s Night as well that Ritchie will take a Medieval or Renaissance melody that might be modal and change it into a diatonic tune, or where it was major change in to minor, or vice versa.
cheers,
September 27th, 2009 at 18:48Mark
I am a little puzzled over that Brian May “only” got a honourable mention. Sure, there are other being more my cup of tea, but I can’t think of any classic guitarist being more skilful, inventive, versatile and yet genuine in one person.
September 27th, 2009 at 19:49@ 55
Hi Mark
Thanx for the info
I love Bach but dont recall this
I got up from my pc chair and climbed up against my high wall of CD s into the classical department
Found the cd and am gonna play it
First a coffee……..
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Classical Music is good for your soul.
Ritchie Blackmore, somewhere in the 20th century
Thanx, Mark from Rotterdam
September 28th, 2009 at 14:38Add
@ 55
Although having trouble with associating the solo in Highway star with the Rondeau piece from Johan Sebastian I got something out of your post anyway
Linked myself to your myspace
Just getting started but I do LOVE the music on it!!!!!
Wow!!!!!
Cheers
September 28th, 2009 at 15:08HA HA I’m glad to see Ritchie Above Page. About Time
October 8th, 2009 at 03:39